There’s a Benefit to Checking In

Friday, December 18th, 2015

When I was building one of my businesses, it seemed like it was taking an inordinate amount of time to get where I wanted to go. This was particularly frustrating because I had some expertise in this company’s field and I thought this knowledge and know-how would help me excel a little faster. It didn’t seem to be working that way. On the contrary, it felt like I had hit a wall.

I started to wonder how hard it was going to be to get this business where I wanted it to be, and that’s when I met up with a friend in the restaurant business who was pretty successful himself. He had opened quite a few different eating establishments and seemed to be doing really well, so I felt a little relief when he said, “Red, we know what we’re doing, but when we open up a new restaurant it takes a long time. Be patient.”

His words made me feel a lot better knowing that I wasn’t the only one who struggled to get my business up and running. They also reminded me that the first year is often the toughest; however, if you are doing the right things, taking the right steps, it will all pay off in the end.

Happily, a few months later, I saw that he was right. The wall seemed to lift and business really started to flow. All of the hard work I had been putting in was starting to pay off as revenues started to increase and my dreams were getting closer to becoming a reality.

The lesson I learned from this is twofold. First, it is extremely beneficial to check in with knowledgeable people and get their take on how it is you’re doing. If you’re taking all of the steps you should be, this can provide you a little bit of peace and relief, as well as some needed encouragement to help you through the times where you simply can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

On the flip side, if you’re not doing what you should be doing to get closer to your goals, people who’ve been there before can help guide you. By sharing their invaluable advice and wisdom, as well as some tricks and tips they’ve used themselves, you can correct the path you’re on so you start to get the results you’re looking for.

The second lesson this taught me is that if you’re doing what you are supposed to be doing, it will work out in the end. You just have to be patient. In fact, I wrote on a Post-it note to “Be Patient” to remind me that good things often take time. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and, if you’re doing things the right way, you will be successful in the end.

So, whatever field you’re in, find someone you look up to, someone knowledgeable about what it takes to succeed, and check in with him or her. Get their take on where you’re at and use what they share to either calm or motivate you, whichever the case may be.

From there, just be patient. As long as you’re taking positive actions, the results will show eventually. And when they do, you’ll be glad you stayed the course.